Mark Evans

Hi All, I didn't really come back to this forum after I got rolling with my band. I want to report that I have lost a total of 148 lbs and in 20 days I will hit the one year mark. Things have been great. I haven't had a fill in months because I no longer have insurance and I am underemployed. However I am still doing great. Do you guys have questions for me? I'm not really even sure what to say about my experience other than I did exactly what I was told by the nutritionist. The only thing I wasn't able to do was I did start smoking again however everything else I have complied with. I'll tackle the smoking next!

I actually recently got a BodyMedia Fit Link like they use on the biggest looser. I learned using that I normally burn 3500-4500 calories a day. I think my weight loss had stopped because I was still only consuming 1000-1500 calories a day. When I increased my caloric intake to 2500 a day my weight loss increased back to the 3-5 lbs every week rate. It is hard to get that kind of caloric intake in with the band. I now look for healthy high calorie foods. I am eating nuts, avocado, and other calorie dense foods through out the day. I did exactly what I was supposed to do on the diet. I at slowly over 30 minutes. I ate 6 times a day. I chewed 30 times. I did not drink for 30 minutes before and after meals. I avoided carbs as much as possible and eat Protein, then veggies and then carbs. I worked with the tool I was given and not against it. I didn't figure out ways to cheat.

My starting weight was 365. My current weight is 115. I am still really self conscious about pictures. I'm not sure how to insert a picture...

I an on a plateau after loosing my first 24 lbs. I am frustrated but I had gotten used to seeing a pound a day melt away. My first fill is next week. I am definitely hungry now. I started working out this week. Personal trainer in 90 minutes! I looked at my log and I haven't been hitting my protein goals for a week. I have to pay more attention.

I buy the two that walmart has. They are awful but you can knock it back. I recommend you do not do the entire 49gram one at one sitting. Your body can't absorb that much at one time. Initially they made me feel dizzy but if I just do half in the morning and half at night I'm ok. Try to get as much protein from your normal food. Remember protein first, veggies second, carbs last. This should also be your portion order.

Typically your band is only "primed" or a little insert to keep the filler tube open at the time of surgery. Your initial restriction comes from the swelling around the band and along your esophagus. People are normally filled 3-6 weeks post op. Mine is next week and I have been post-op for 20 days. Until this week I got a lot of restriction from the swelling. I can't imagine if my band was also filled. This week I have been able to eat a lot more and I get hungry sooner than before. However it has not deterred my weight loss. I am keeping it at under 1000 calories a day and I am down 20 lbs in 20 days.

Hello everyone, My name is Mark and I was banded on 4/5/2012. My starting weight was 300 lbs and I'm 5'11". I know that isn't a ton of weight and if you saw me you'd probably think I weigh 250 lbs or less but that is where the secret is. I have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, insulin resistance, and high blood pressure. My cardiologist and my primary care physician wanted me to loose weight and I tried for a year and lost a total of 15 lbs and gained it all back. The problem with me is that because of my HCM I am exercise restricted and can't work out very much. I "carry" my weight well. That is what people always tell me. The reason is that I have a barrel chest at 65" and all of my weight is in my stomach and inside my chest cavity. So I decided to get banded. I was given the option of gastric bypass but I was a little scared of that. I got the Realize band with Imbrication. So far I have had a pretty smooth recovery. The biggest problem is gas. I have never had so much gas in my entire life. The biggest life savers so far have been Gas X, my heating pad and really hot showers on my back. My doctor was Dr. Tyner in Cary, NC and I had my surgery at Rex Hospital. I was in the hospital for less than a day and went home pretty soon. I got my band one day before my insurance expires. I was relieved I was able to do that! So far so good!

I'm 4 days post op and I've lost 9 lbs.

Michael, have you considered surgery out of the country? Even though you have to travel you can often have it done much cheaper than in the United States. Mexico or Costa Rica are good options. When I thought I was going to have to self pay I looked into it.